No bird or plane, it's another crane

CRANES are piercing the Coast skyline more than ever, as residential projects pump up our construction industry.

The Rider Levett Bucknall Q3 2018 Crane Index showed the Sunshine Coast's crane contingent had increased by 60 per cent, since the last count six months ago.

Residential projects accounted for 75 per cent of total Sunshine Coast cranes, which increased from 10 to 16, after 11 were erected in the past six months and five pulled down.

A second crane was added to the Cosmopolitan at Cotton Tree, while new cranes were put up at Lang Court and Drift in Coolum, The Avenue and Alpha/New Haven in Maroochydore, 116 Alex in Alexandra Headland, Allure in Mooloolaba, The Hedge in Kawana and Solis in Kings Beach.

A crane was erected at the Sports Hub in Birtinya, the only addition to the mixed use sector, while the retail sector remained constant at three cranes.

One crane was pulled down at Maroochydore's Sunshine Plaza, reducing the crane count to two, while one was put up at the Kawana Shoppingworld.

INCOMING: The Cosmopolitan at Cotton Tree is due for completion in April, 2019, and is selling fast.Contributed

The Coast's 16 cranes contributed to the 735 long-term cranes standing nationwide, an increase of 52 since the last count.